What Kind of Camera Should I Buy?

One of the most common questions I get on this site and from my clients is from the "what kind of camera should I buy" genre.

If they've never owned a camera this becomes a more valid question. But most already have a camera. To those, my response is "what can't you do, that you wish to do, with your current camera?" And I try to get them to be as specific as possible.

You see, if you've used your current gear enough to know it's limitations and to develop a list of features/specs that you're missing.. then you're ready for a new camera. And the answer is easy, or at least narrowing it down to a few like models is easy. The camera that best addresses the limitations and has the features/specs you feel would help your photography. And yes, while there will be areas of commonality amongst photographers, these areas shift depending on each photographers experience set and needs.. so what other people use doesn't really apply.

Sometimes I recommend what I use if what I use fits their needs best, but most often I recommend, without bias, the models which best fit their self-described needs. I think this is the best advice a professional can provide. Anyone who's standard answer is a certain brand, a certain model, or especially if it's what they shoot.. is not the matured opinion you're looking for.

Many don't like this type of answer. What they want is a rock solid choice with no chance they're making the wrong choice.. and putting the effort into really thinking about what they need and the self-appraisal that goes along with it often irks them. Life is rarely easy.. so why should this be?

And it's true.. after a period of time with our new camera we'll have a new set of limitations and new set of specs/features we think we'll need It's a natural progression we really shouldn't skip.. because if we do then we're cheating ourselves out of the knowledge and experience it takes to get there. We wouldn't want to do that right?

Still don't believe me? Okay, think about your last relationship. Or your current one. What limitations did your last spouse/mate have, and what features/specs were missing from them that you wished they had? Chances are the next spouse/mate addressed these areas precisely. And a few years later, to your horror, you discovered they're not perfect either. Sometimes not even as good as the last one. So a new list of limitations and features/specs starts developing.

Living this natural progression is where all your experience and knowledge comes from. We call it life.